Abuja — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a strong criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing him of hypocrisy, distortion of facts, and political desperation amid growing tensions between the two camps.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described Tinubu’s recent comments as a “reckless tirade” that reflects “a troubling pattern of hypocrisy and historical amnesia.”
The statement said the former vice president was surprised that a sitting president—who has faced scrutiny over his own credentials—would attempt to discredit others with what it called well-documented public service records.
“This exposes not just desperation, but a troubling pattern of hypocrisy,” the statement noted.
Atiku’s camp argued that Tinubu’s remarks were not only misleading but also an attempt to rewrite Nigeria’s economic reform history.
A major point of contention in the exchange is Nigeria’s privatisation policy. Atiku’s camp defended his long-standing support for the privatisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, now known as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, as well as the sale of government-owned refineries to credible investors.
The statement claimed that Tinubu had previously opposed such reforms but is now overseeing what it described as a non-transparent commercialisation of the national oil company.
“This is not reform; it is privatisation without accountability,” the statement said, alleging a lack of transparency and clarity on beneficiaries.
Atiku’s camp highlighted several companies as successful outcomes of the privatisation programme he supervised. These include Oando Plc, Conoil Plc, Ardova Plc, Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals, Benue Cement Company, and Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
According to the statement, these organisations remain “enduring testaments” to reforms that revitalised failing state enterprises and boosted private sector participation.
The statement also took a direct swipe at President Tinubu’s intellectual capacity, accusing him of failing to engage with documented history on economic reforms.
It referenced ongoing public debates surrounding Tinubu’s academic background, including his association with Chicago State University.
In support of its claims, the statement cited Nasir El-Rufai’s book, The Accidental Public Servant, as a documented account of Nigeria’s privatisation process.
Beyond policy disagreements, Atiku’s camp criticised the tone of Tinubu’s remarks, accusing the president of resorting to mockery rather than engaging with substantive issues.
“A leadership more comfortable with insults than with facts,” the statement said.
The statement painted a bleak picture of Nigeria’s economy, claiming that citizens are facing rising inflation, declining purchasing power, and worsening insecurity.
It is alleged that many businesses are shutting down while families struggle to survive, arguing that current reforms have resulted in hardship without clear relief.
President Tinubu, however, dismissed opposition figures as “noise-makers,” insisting he remains focused on governance.
He made the remarks during a meeting with the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the State House in Abuja, attended by political leaders from across the country. The delegation was led by Hope Uzodimma.
During the meeting, Tinubu took a direct swipe at Atiku, questioning the outcomes of privatisation efforts carried out under his leadership as Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation.
“He privatised the steel industry in Delta. Is it working today? No,” Tinubu said.
He also referenced the long-standing challenges surrounding the Ajaokuta Steel Company, suggesting that past reforms failed to deliver expected results.
The exchange marks a deepening political rivalry between the two leaders, both key figures in Nigeria’s political landscape. While Atiku maintains that his record is “clear, documented, and defensible,” he also noted that “persistent public concerns” about Tinubu’s background remain unresolved.
The statement ended with a pointed remark:
“Nigerians are watching.”
As the country moves closer to the 2027 elections, the clash signals an intensifying battle of narratives over governance, economic reforms, and accountability.
